Legacy Makers
Studied stories of individuals, families, and kinship groups whose lives left lasting impressions on history and memory.
The Vanishing Martin Family: A 1958 Oregon Mystery
The Martin family disappearance has remained one of Oregon's most enigmatic cold cases since December 7, 1958, when Kenneth and Barbara Martin and their three daughters vanished during a simple family outing.
After decades of speculation ranging from accidental drowning to homicide, a breakthrough finally came when independent diver Archer Mayo discovered their 1954 Ford station wagon beneath the Columbia River in November 2024. This discovery came after Mayo spent months secretly excavating in "The Pit" at the bottom of Cascade Locks, where he first spotted a single exposed tire partially buried under the rocky riverbed.
Those interested can follow updates on Archer Mayo's dedicated website: martinmystery.com.
If you've reached this blog through a search engine, allow me to introduce myself:
I'm Susan, an essayist and narrative storytelling specialist dedicated to preserving authentic historical narratives and perspectives. My work as a historical researcher, archivist, and family history analyst is guided by the understanding that perspective fundamentally shapes our interpretation of history.